I know I will probably get some stick for saying this, but I'm not particularly fussed if we don't get top 4 this season for a number of reasons.
Our showing in this seasons Champions League was a damp squib and we looked like we were there to make up the numbers. I wonder how much Shaw's injury impacted us, but that doesn't excuse the other games where we didn't do nearly enough to qualify.
The current top 4 have been MUCH more consistent than us for the majority of the season and if I were a fan of any of those clubs, I'd be pretty peeved if this Utd side usurped them. Leicester have been a breath of fresh air, Spurs have been ultra solid and look a proper unit, Arsenal beat the majority of the lesser sides and City have shown flashes of brilliance, something I think we have only shown in two matches this season (Everton away and Stoke at home).
In all honesty, I'd be a little embarrassed if we were a representative of one of the best four teams in the Premier League in our current situation. This would only change if we began thrashing sides 3 and 4 nil to bulldoze our way back into the CL slots, but we all know that Eden Hazard is more likely to score this season than that happening.
Our expectancy this season should've been a title challenge, and top 4 should've been acceptable as a fall back option, but the fact we have majorly taken our eye off the ball and are now fighting an uphill battle for something we managed last season should serve as a lesson for us long term. You can no longer waltz past teams and expect them to roll over for you, you have to pay everyone respect and give your all in every match (we haven't done this consistently).
It's been 70% tactics and 30% player performances that account for the poor showing this season in my opinion.
We need to be smart in the summer and I don't want to see a major overhaul again, a maximum of FOUR players who can expect to be starters should be what we are going for. A centre back, a centre mid, wideman and a striker would be my suggestions. I'm sold on the idea of Mourinho coming in and being given freedom and support, with those factors I think he could be a success at Old Trafford.
My hopes for the remainder of the season are so:
-Continuation of our style of play in the last three games, I know LvG says there has been no change but I'd say there has been a big noticeable difference.
-CBJ, Lingard and Varela to get plenty of football, these guys can be valuable squad members going forward. Martial should continue on the left, I prefer him there as he can really utilise his dribbling and pace.
-Prioritise the Europa and the Fa Cup, winning one (both would be fantastic) could be a massive confidence boost and a springboard for the next season.
I'd be happy with one trophy and some entertaining football, not fussed at missing out on a CL place to 4 sides who have frankly been much better than us so far.
Jose to join in the summer with some fresh direction and a clear plan to turn us back into a domestic force would be my chosen solution for us. Riyad Mahrez would be my top target, he may not want to join, but he is someone who really gets you off your seat with his trickery and he has proven he has an end product to go with it.
Top 4
posted on 7/2/16
Rio and Campbell > Rio and Terry
posted on 7/2/16
comment by Stefano Sturaro (U6687)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Marlo The King Stanfield. (U7553)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Stefano Sturaro (U6687)
posted 12 seconds ago
comment by Melbourne Red (U5417)
posted 15 seconds ago
Has no one picked up on the use of "damp squid" in the OP? Would have expected numerous references to The I.T Crowd. You're all a massive disappointment.
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yes, but Marlo is a good guy, so didn't want to call him a thick, illiterate cūńt tbh
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There's a Mansfield joke in there somewhere. Thanks Mex
I'm working up in your neck of the woods these days. Giltbrook massive!
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I've moved to Beeston now
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Isn't Beeston one of Notts' nicer areas?
St Ann's, Bestwood, Meadows are not somewhere I'd ever consider making my home
I'd have to be the real Marlo Stanfield to survive there
posted on 7/2/16
comment by Marlo The King Stanfield. (U7553)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Stefano Sturaro (U6687)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Marlo The King Stanfield. (U7553)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Stefano Sturaro (U6687)
posted 12 seconds ago
comment by Melbourne Red (U5417)
posted 15 seconds ago
Has no one picked up on the use of "damp squid" in the OP? Would have expected numerous references to The I.T Crowd. You're all a massive disappointment.
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yes, but Marlo is a good guy, so didn't want to call him a thick, illiterate cūńt tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's a Mansfield joke in there somewhere. Thanks Mex
I'm working up in your neck of the woods these days. Giltbrook massive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've moved to Beeston now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Isn't Beeston one of Notts' nicer areas?
St Ann's, Bestwood, Meadows are not somewhere I'd ever consider making my home
I'd have to be the real Marlo Stanfield to survive there
----------------------------------------------------------------------
yeah Beeston is nice, and its only a 15 minute tram ride into Notts
posted on 7/2/16
I have to go to Leicester to see Jim Jefferies in the summer. Wonder if a league title will make the city any more interesting
posted on 7/2/16
Nottingham will have happy time all over Leicester's face because Linekarland is Notts' b!tch. Notts > Leicester.
posted on 8/2/16
I still think Arsenal will win it. They'll go out of their way to make it hard but they have enough to do it imo. City have all the tools, but my opinion was that the players were playing in second gear, knowing their manager was a dead man walking. Once it was finally confirmed, they stopped to new levels of not giving it their all.
As for Leicester? They could actually do it. But their strength is lightning counters. They'll be playing teams who won't attack them now and breaking that down isn't s Leicester strength imo. Time will tell
posted on 8/2/16
comment by Stefano Sturaro (U6687)
posted 4 hours, 19 minutes ago
not having Mauro Icardi at my club, there's a limit to everything
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he'd probably sheg Giggs' wife.
posted on 8/2/16
Some you people make me laugh -you are living in the past. The days when MU just waved a chequebook and players came running is gone. Everyone else has money now too and if you miss CL which seems likely you won't be an attractive proposition. How anyone would seriously think Mahrez would drop down from probable champions and CL (nailed on I think) to 5 or 6th and Europa is completely beyond me. Wake up and smell the coffee. You people may have considered away to Chelsea is a "big game" but for the title-chasers it was merely an irrelevance. Thought you deserved the 3 pts yesterday, decent performance all round.
posted on 8/2/16
lot of truth and hard facts to consider in the above post btw.
posted on 8/2/16
The problem is, if we don't get CL, we don't get the top player/ players we need.